called the Gang; which was quiet, and openness was manifested to receive that which was communicated. The days becoming very short, and the roads being in such a state as not to admit of our going quickly over the ground, together with our distance from Frenchay, appearing likely to prevent our keeping at our work as late at night as we conceived was necessary, lodging was provided for us in the Cock-road.

Fourth-day, we attended meeting at Frenchay, which I trust was a time of favour to the visited youth; after which we went again to Cock-road. The first visit we made was

into this dark corner of the earth: he wished we could see it our place to come more frequently, not doubting but it would have its service. In the afternoon we attended a meeting in another part of the common, which was large and proved satisfactory. After taking refreshment we proceeded to Kingswood, to attend a meeting at six o'clock this evening. The weather proving wet, we expected a small attendance, but the place was so crowded that many could not get seats; notwithstanding which, and their being unacquainted with our manner of sitting together in silence, the meeting was agreeably conducted, and ended satisfactorily. Thus closed a day to a woman who, we were informed, kept as of exercise, to the praise of Him, be it said, disorderly a house as any in the neighbourwho, when He puts forth, goes before, and hood, and was a very immoral character herprepares the way for the reception of the seed self. On our laying before her the guilt in he gives to scatter abroad amongst the people. which she was implicated, by harbouring the Second-day, we went to the Cock-road, and company she did in her house, she at first continued visiting from house to house, until treated our remarks with contempt, saying, we felt the need of our dinner, which we she knew she must answer for her conduct generally took in our chaise. Whilst taking herself: but by degrees she evinced a willingour repast, we were surrounded by a number ness to receive what we had to say to her, asof poor children, amongst whom was a girl suring us of the desire which she felt to conapparently about sixteen years of age, clad as duct herself more orderly than she had done, miserably as can well be conceived. On ask- and not to suffer young persons to resort iming her why she did not go to work, she told properly to her house as heretofore. She acus, work was not to be had; saying, "Some- knowledged, at our parting, she believed we times I have victuals, and other times I am wished her better than she had done herself. obliged to go without :"-she pointed with her Fifth-day, we went to Cock-road and made finger where her mother lived, and said she many visits; much openness to receive us and was at home. Having finished our repast, our testimony was manifested. In the afterwe believed it would not be best to pass noon we proceeded to Hill-mount, where a her by, and proceeded to the house the girl meeting was appointed to be held at four pointed to, which we found to be an abode of o'clock, but from some cause unknown to us, misery in every sense of the word. The mo- the people did not generally assemble until six ther, this girl, two other women, and three o'clock; notwithstanding this, although it children were living together, obtaining what proved a close exercise both of faith and palittle support they had by their evil practices. tience, yet when the meeting closed, a hope We sat down with them, and endeavoured accompanied our minds, that we had been in faithfully to lay before them the tendency of the way of our duty, and that the labour of their manner of life, as it respected them-this day would not prove in vain. At the close selves, their children, and others whom they of the meeting, we took up our first night's were instrumental in drawing into their com- abode in the Cock-road. pany, and the punishment that awaited them Sixth-day, proceeded to the parish of Briton. without true repentance. At first they ap- Our first call was at the miserable abode of peared to soar above what we said, and re- five single sisters; they existed together, for sented our interference, as they termed it; but it could hardly be called living. One of them we were mercifully carried above fear, strength appeared far gone in a decline, possibly for being given to plead with them, until the Di-want of necessaries; another was afflicted vine Witness in their minds was evidently with fits; a third looked starving from hunger reached; and they were so brought down, as and cold, exhibiting a ghastly countenance. to evince some degree of contrition, acknow-On our approach, one of them made her esledging, at our parting, their full belief that cape, with scarcely clothes to cover her. The we wished them well, and that they were habitation, within and without, as well as its obliged to us for the counsel we had given inmates, exhibited the most striking picture of them. Humiliating as the interview was, we human misery an artist could be supposed to left them thankful that we had been strength-pourtray-neither bedsteads, bed, blankets, ened to maintain our post. In the afternoon sheets, pillow, bolster, table, chair, or housewe had a large meeting with some of those hold stuff of any kind, except two stools, and VOL. III.-No. 4.

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some broken earthenware. On inquiry how our seats: from his own confession, during they passed these cold winter nights, we were what we had to communicate, he proved to be informed they laid down on the floor, which one of the Gang: we remonstrated with him was paved with large stones, before the best on the danger to which he exposed himself by fire they were able to make up, the warmth violating the laws of his country, and set forth from which, with the few rags their cottage the peace of mind that would result from getfurnished, supplied the want of bed-covering. ting his livelihood in an honest way; he acThey informed us their employ had been head-knowledged he was fully aware of these things, ing pins, but their employer had failed. Two and that he was far from a happy man. On of them had one shilling each from the parish, my telling him he passed his time amidst hope in addition to one shilling more which they and fear, hoping at times he should escape earned, which was the whole they had to sub- being detected in his evil practices, but fear at sist on. We could not but commiserate their other times so tormenting him as almost to trying allotment in this world, and we endea- overcome hope; he said it was truly descripvoured, as ability was afforded, to turn their tive of his situation; adding, the way he was attention to the alone sure way of securing getting his livelihood was the way his father that inward help and support, which would had brought him up, and he could not live as not fail them, but would conduct them safely he did by hard labour, not having been brought through all the trials of time, producing the up to it, and pay five shillings a week to the joyous fruits of righteousness, and ultimately parish for three children; but he must conland them safe where no more sorrow will be tinue his course of life, viz: to plunder, trick, known. My companion stated their case to a and cheat every way he could. On endeaFriend of Bristol, and bedding and other arti- vouring to turn his attention seriously to concles were furnished them. sider the awful situation into which, if he continued this same course of life, he would plunge himself eternally, he replied with apparent feelings of horror, he must leave all future consequences. He manifested great frank

belonged to him; but expressed, as if he really felt what he said, that he believed we desired better things for him than he was able to do for himself. He appeared about twenty-six years of age, of a fine, strong, healthy constitution, was unable to read, and had never, but twice, he told us, entered a place of religious worship. We parted from him, sorrowing on his account, committing him to that Divine Power, who yet remains all-sufficient to work wonders for the children of men, even for the most rebellious.

We proceeded to finish this part of Cockroad, and made many visits, some of which were relieving to our minds. We halted at a public-house, where we met a considerable company of men, who appeared to live in idle-ness; no disposition to put by what he knew ness and fulness of bread, producing wantonness; and we had no doubt, from circumstances, that they were a party of those called the Gang; with whom, I believe we may say, we endeavoured to deal plainly-the fear of man being mercifully taken away. They behaved towards us with much civility, and appeared to receive kindly what we had to declare. We had a large meeting this evening at Hill-mount, which was conducted in a quiet, orderly manner. The meeting holding late, the night very dark, and by-roads to travel, roads as bad as can well be conceived, our We proceeded to Cock-road-house, where a journey appeared perilous; but we were famecting was appointed at two o'clock this af voured to reach our lodging safely, for which ternoon, which was largely attended, the peowe felt thankful. We did not apprehend dan- ple conducting themselves in a solid manner. ger from the Gang, amongst whom we were We then went to Hill-mount, where a meeting travelling, not merely from the information we was to be held at five o'clock this evening; received, that we need not fear them day or the house was crowded, and the quiet preserved night, for no one should insult us, but from was remarkable, considering the rough, unculbeing favoured with full confidence in the su- tivated company we were amongst. The peoperintending care of Divine Providence; short ple appeared to sit quietly, and to be attentive of which, what could have supported us in tra- to the truths of the Gospel given us for comvelling generally late in the evening in such a munication; and we were encouraged to hope neighbourhood, where others are afraid to tra- this would prove a season of profit to many. vel alone in the day time? That the praise might be given to whom it belongs, both by the hearers and those who were counted worthy to proclaim the truths of the Gospel of life and salvation, was the desire of my heart at the close of another day: to Him are we accountable, who sees and knows the heart, and all our motives of ac

Seventh-day, we made a few calls, and arranged for meetings. First-day morning, a meeting in a cottage near our lodging, was thinly attended, but quiet, and to us comfortable. At the close, observing a man turn into the adjoining cottage, we followed him, taking

tion, and who will reward us accordingly. Romans ii. 7.

We made several visits on our way to Cabra-common. As we were passing along, two men caught our eye, employing themselves in catching birds; a way in which some of the Gang spend a part of their time, as a cloak for their nightly depredations. We attracted

time noised abroad amongst them, they manifested a determination to avoid us, and separated to the right and left, whereby I expected we should lose them. But one being an old man, and having a high gate to get over to make his escape, I was upon him before he was aware. On my requesting him to give us his company in a cottage hard by, he consented. My companion saw the other man cross the road not far from us and go into a cottage, to which I prevailed on the elderly man to accompany us. On our reaching the cottage, the man my companion saw go into it was not to be seen; and on inquiring for him, the woman of the house replied, he had gone out again. My companion cautioned her against persisting in an untruth, saying, she saw him come into the house, and there was no back way for him to make his escape again; on which the woman called out, “Richard, come down stairs," but no Richard replied: she repeated it, but in vain. Fully believing, if we preserved peace of mind, we

Second-day, 2nd of eleventh month, we attended the Monthly Meeting at Frenchay, at which we gave in a report of our proceedings thus far, with which the meeting's satisfaction was expressed, accompanied with acknowledg- their notice, and our proceeding being by this ments of an evidence that the Good Shepherd had in mercy been mindful of us. Third-day, we went to Hill-mount: from the badness of the road our carriage broke down: we were obliged to return to Frenchay. Fourth-day, we went to Cabra-heath: our first visit was to the cottage of a collier, where a considerable number of his neighbours, in addition to his own family, soon collected. A young woman who came in manifested much disposition to levity, but that which was delivered reaching her condition, she became serious, and parted from us, giving evident proof that a degree of religious thoughtfulness was awakened in her mind. Our next visit was to a collier and his wife, who were at the meeting on first-day evening, and now welcomed us to their cottage: the man despatched messengers to invite his neighbours, and we had a numerous assembly. Utterance was largely given, and great openness evinced to receive the word preached; and we parted under a humbling sense of our heavenly Father's love: fresh cause for the acknowledgment, that all is of must not miss seeing him, I went to the stairmercy, unmerited mercy, and to set up the foot, calling out, "Richard, come down stairs, Ebenezer, and say, our help has come from or I must come up and fetch thee down:" no the Lord. After making a few more calls, we reply being made, strength was given me to returned to our lodgings. Some of our com- go up into his chamber, where I found him pany this day, in a feeling manner, expressed crouched down behind the head of the bed. I their belief, that our feet having been turned should have been as nothing in his hands, a amongst the poor inhabitants here, was de-large-boned, hale young man, had he resisted signed by the Almighty in mercy to be a fresh me. I told him we wanted to have his comcall to them. One poor collier, at the close of pany, took him by the collar from behind the an opportunity, expressed himself nearly as bed, and sent him down stairs before me, on follows: "If we miss so great salvation thus which he quietly took his seat in the chimney frequently offered to us, and again renewed corner: after a pause, my companion began and brought home to our very houses, surely to address him in such a manner that his it will be more tolerable for other wicked na- wife's countenance manifested astonishment, tions in the great day than for us." Fifth-day, directing her eyes towards him, as if she proceeded to Cabra-heath. Our first call was wished him to receive it. He sat very quietly at the cottage of a young man, whom we found the whole time, and although at first he aplounging at his fire-side, appearing as if he peared disposed to stout it out, yet, after much had been out on a night's ramble; and his labour, and endeavouring to lay before him house abounded with good things. It seemed the sad consequences that he must expect that we were not welcome guests, for he treated would eventually follow his continuing to purour observations with contempt: notwithstand-sue his present mode of getting a livelihood, ing which, we continued, as matter arose in he became more tender. I felt it laid upon the line of apprehended duty, to communicate me before we parted to remind him, that if he it to him; and after awhile he appeared rather continued to follow his wicked practices, his softened down, and evinced more willingness to receive our counsel: he parted from us in a friendly manner, and did not attempt to clear himself from the bad practices that were brought before his view.

father having brought him up therein would avail him nothing in the great day of account, not being aware that the old man was his father. From the kind manner they all took leave of us, we were disposed to hope the

labour bestowed would not all be in vain; and harbouring the company she did, and allowing

truly thankful we were that we did not easily give up to discouragement.

Sixth-day, we again proceeded to Cabraheath and Wollard's-common: for the present we have left the Gang, and are now amongst hatters, many of whom appear under a religious concern for their soul's welfare; yet from the anxiety they are under to provide for their numerous offspring, it is feared their good desires are too frequently overpowered. From the high price of bread they had been compelled to begin upon their potatoes before the usual time, which, it seemed probable, would not carry them through the winter. These scenes of misery and woe, in addition to our inward exercises, at times plunged us into suffering. This day closed with a visit to a public-house in the Cock-road, which afforded us satisfaction.

such evil practices to be going forward: we then addressed the young men, relative to their spending their time in that unjustifiable manner. Some appeared to receive our advice kindly, and others manifested more of a hardened disposition. Having endeavoured to acquit ourselves faithfully, we returned home with hearts abounding with gratitude to Him, who was our Alpha and continued to be our Omega. This day we had a sitting in the family with whom we quartered, which closed a trying day's work. Second-day, we went to Cabra-heath: in the first visit we made, on taking our seats in the family, so much levity was manifested that we were much tried, but by endeavouring after ability to endure all with Christian patience, seriousness gradually spread over the minds of our company, and we had a favoured opportunity together, and at our parting were solicited by the family to repeat our visit. How can we any longer doubt the sufficiency of Divine goodness to make way for us, where the eye of human reason, looking on the discouraging side of

Seventh-day, we went to Wollard's-common. Amongst those we visited this day was a poor collier: he informed us that a few years ago his mind was awakened to a sense of his sinful state; and he manifested a truly religious concern on his own account and on account our situation, can see no way for us to proof his family. From his numerous offspring and the high price of provisions, he appeared struggling with great poverty; but this he assured us was not his greatest trouble; his wife refusing to unite with him in going to his place of worship, and in properly caring for the welfare of their children, he said, was his greatest trouble. His wife sitting by, confessed she could not plead want of time; but a want of inclination in herself to go to a place of worship, seemed the real cause; she acknowledged she saw the benefit her husband's becoming religious had been to him; saying, before this change took place he was a wicked man, and would curse her for hours at a time. Nothing we had to say seemed to make any impression on her mind; though she parted from us kindly. After this opportunity we collected the hatters generally in this district, with whom we had a religious meeting, and one afterwards with a young couple, which we had cause to believe was to mutual satisfaction.

First-day, we attended a meeting appointed at our request in the Baptist meeting-house, at Hannam, which was large, and we were encouraged to hope was a season of profit to many. On our way home we called at a house, said to be a haunt for disorderly persons, particularly on a first-day. We found many young men standing outside, whom we invited in, with which they complied, and took their seats with those who were already there. We had an opportunity with the woman of the house first, but in the presence of her customers; we laid before her the wickedness of her

ceed. May these instances of Divine interference prove like a nail fastened in a sure place, is the prayer of my soul. After a similar visit we went to the smelting works, and from thence to the poor, but peaceful, cottage of a collier, with whom and his family we had a precious meeting. Fourth-day, we went to Cabra-heath: on our way a man on horseback made towards us, and my companion believed he was one of the Gang, as we began by this time to have a pretty correct idea of them from their dress, manners, &c. Being desirous we might have his company, I stepped out of the chaise near a cottage, requesting him to go in with us, which he complied with. After some time spent in silence, we opened to him such matter as came before us, respecting his manner of life, to which he did not demur, but confessed he felt at times the great need there was to amend his ways; he appeared quite willing to receive what we had to say, expressing the obligation he felt himself under for it, and requesting we would visit him at his own home, giving us his address for that purpose. We made many visits this day to colliers and hatters, some of whom we could not doubt were thirsting after the sincere milk of the word, that they might grow thereby; to whom our spirits were nearly united.

Fifth-day, our first call this morning was at the miserable abode of a man, who informed us he was seventy-five years of age. By a hurt in the coal-pit, thirty years ago, he lost one of his legs; about the same time his wife and ten children were taken with a fever;

shortly after their recovery his children all fore them the necessity of endeavouring to had the small-pox; two years ago his wife know their whole conduct and converse to be became deranged, set fire to her clothes, and in unison with the doctrines and precepts of was burnt to death; since which, in his ab- Christ, whereby their endeavours in this good sence, his house was broken into, and part of work, will be blessed to the children under his bedding and wearing apparel taken away: all which he related with the utmost composure, and such sweetness of countenance, as indicated the truth of what he added; that he hoped through all he had been preserved from murmuring. A more perfect example of contentment and Christian patience I thought I never before beheld. His recital of the precious effects which his various trials had produced on his mind, was to me a very instructive lesson, nothing that escaped his lips in the least degree manifesting a desire to receive pecuniary aid. At six o'clock we attended a meeting held in a house belonging to the followers of George Whitfield. The evening being wet, and roads across the common deep in mire, we expected a small meeting, in which we were agreeably disappointed: it gathered early; the attendance was large, and we had a comfortable time together. Sixth-day, our visit to Wollard's-common this afternoon was attended with a comfortable hope, that there are many here under a precious visitation: that nothing may be suffered to retard the work of salvation, has been the prayer of my soul. At six o'clock this evening we attended a meeting at the smelting works, where we had reason to believe many received the word preached, with gladness.

their care. An aged couple, living in the school-house, attracted my attention; and seeking for Divine help, I was strengthened to be faithful in ministering what appeared to be the counsel of my Divine Master for them: tears rolled down the cheeks of the woman, but the man's mind did not appear capable of receiving what was offered. In the afternoon we attended the school in the Upper-road: here little more occurred than our making a few observations. We took tea at the house of our kind friend Stevens, who had taken an active part in the establishment of these schools. In the course of conversation respecting our visit to Cock-road, amongst those denominated the Gang, and the willingness they generally manifested to receive us and attend our appointed meetings, he informed us that the members of their society had taken much pains to have meetings with them, changing the times and places for holding them in their neighbourhood, in hopes of accommodating them, but these attempts had proved fruitless. We had the company of a preacher of the Wesleyan persuasion, who made us the offer of their chapel for a meeting, assuring us of

large congregation; but not feeling that which warranted our holding a meeting here, we declined accepting this kind offer, alSeventh-day, we bent our course to the though we were given to understand the peoupper road from Bath to Bristol, and accom- ple would be disappointed, if we left the neighplished many visits, in most of which my com- bourhood without having a meeting with them. panion had good service, but my lips were Third-day, we proceeded to the great school sealed in awful silence through the whole of near Cock-road; and in most of our visits this the day. First-day, we visited a school in a day my companion had good service. Here dissenting meeting-house on Wollard's-com- this arduous engagement, which we have bemon: the labour we were enabled to bestowlieved ourselves called upon to pursue from on the children and their teachers appeared to day to day, was brought to a peaceful close, be well received. During our visit in this accompanied with the language of, Return to neighbourhood we met with several young men whose education had been wholly neglected, who could not be prevailed upon to attend the first-day schools. I felt drawings in my mind to visit the cottage of a newly married couple, the husband being of this description; after much entreaty he was prevailed upon to accompany us to the school, and have his name entered as a scholar, which afforded us some hope others would be encouraged to follow his example. We then proceeded to the first-day school at Cock-hill, where we met with a considerable number of children under the care of teachers. Little seemed to be required of us towards the children, but our minds were brought under exercise on behalf of the teachers, and we set be

thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath been bountiful in administering his help in the time of need. Fourth-day, attended mecting at Frenchay, at the close of which we made a further report of our proceedings to the satisfaction of our friends. Fifth-day, I took leave of my kind companion and her family, proceeded to Bristol, and attended meeting there. Seventh-day, left Bristol for my own home, which I was favoured to reach and found my dear wife well.

Those called the Gang, and the colliers generally, had large families of children; but to us it was lamentable to understand, but very few of them who were living together as husband and wife, were married. As some of the colliers had joined in membership with the